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While you don't get a 'Free Lunch', you will get your just desserts...

UPDATE: Additional Microsoft MVPs have joined the project and we will now be selecting at least two (2)now three (3) qualifying projects each month. The selected first tier project will have the package listed below. The package for the selected second tier project is still being worked out -but will contain at least a MSDN Ultimate Subscription.

In a previous blog entry, I discussed making a package of software, tools, training, and books available to unemployed and underemployed software developers. You may review that post here.

Through the generosity of the following participating MVPs, as well as the listed Sponsors below, we will be offering this excellent package of software, tools, training, and books each month for the remainder of 2010 for a project submitted prior to the selection date.

To recap, we are inviting unemployed or underemployed developers to propose a software project for a non-profit agency, school, or church. The idea is that we will provide a package of the latest software, tools, and training resources to help you improve your skills, get up to date with current technologies, gain practical experience, potentially earn a recommendation for your efforts, and in general, enjoy the feeling of accomplishing something useful for others. We are not giving out a ‘free lunch’, just supporting your efforts to personally gain from your own ‘sweat equity’.

Project Criteria:

Client is a USA IRS 503(c)3 non-profit, school, or church, OR a Canadian CRA registered charity

Entries will carry forward, if your project is not selected one month, it may be selected the following month. We recognize that situations will change, so upon selection, you will be asked to verify that you are still unemployed and continue to have the time and dedication to complete the project.

IF you are excited about, and choose to complete the project prior to selection, and you are subsequently selected, you will still receive the package as outlined above.

The July selection will occur on July 30, the selected developer and project will be posted here.

Is there a way for clients to get in touch with developers that are intersted in this program and are looking for a project idea? My friend started a non-profit and has some ideas for projects that might be a nice fit for this program.

I would be interested in working on a project but have not been able to find a link to proposals that have been submitted. I wouldn't know the first thing about approaching a non-profit to pitch an idea.